Glossophobia

Glossophobia is one of the most common phobias. Symptoms range from mild nervousness to panic attacks. The biological mechanism is a stress response — your nervous system treats a podium like a predator, releasing adrenaline before you say a word.

The most effective long-term treatment is graduated exposure: small, frequent reps in low-stakes settings. Beta blockers can manage physical symptoms in performance contexts but don't address the underlying habit.